HE WASN’T AROUND for long, but Fetu’u Vainikolo made a lasting impression during his time in Galway.
Little wonder he became a fan favourite in such a short space of time with acceleration and power like he displayed in scoring Tonga’s opening try of their Pacific Nations Cup clash with the USA.
Vainikolo scored another in the second half as Tonga ran out 33 – 19 winners over the US to put them in to Monday’s Pacific Nations Cup third-place play-off against Japan.
Quick hands after a turnover on the five metre line got Samoa back in the game after half-time, Anthony Perenise sliding over to bring the deficit to 13 – 10 before Mike Stanley’s penalties edged the Islanders in to a 13 – 16 lead.
With six minutes to go in Toronto, however, Canada were daring to dream.
Winger Phil McKenzie contested a high-bouncing kick for territory. He didn’t win it, but he was around to collect when Conor Trainor kept the pill alive. The hard work was still to be done, but McKenzie made taking the long route to the try-line from a standing start through Samoan tacklers look easy.
Fortunately for Samoa, there was still time to put the ball in the Canadian 22 and attempt to force a mistake.
When it came, it made for pinball-tastic drama.
Canada lock Tyler Hotson managed to steal a five metre line-out with just a minute on the clock. Yet in the panic to recover the ball, McKenzie spilled it and it found its way in to the grateful grasp of Zak Taulafo who grounded to give Samoa a 21 – 20 win.
Ireland's World Cup opponents came agonisingly close to a shock win over Samoa last night
HE WASN’T AROUND for long, but Fetu’u Vainikolo made a lasting impression during his time in Galway.
Little wonder he became a fan favourite in such a short space of time with acceleration and power like he displayed in scoring Tonga’s opening try of their Pacific Nations Cup clash with the USA.
Vainikolo scored another in the second half as Tonga ran out 33 – 19 winners over the US to put them in to Monday’s Pacific Nations Cup third-place play-off against Japan.
The final will be contested by Fiji and Samoa, but the latter side must be seriously counting (and recounting) their lucky stars after pulling a late win out of the bag against Canada.
Ireland’s opening World Cup pool opponents flew out of the traps and opened up a 13 – 0 lead thanks to this contentious try from Nick Blevins.
Quick hands after a turnover on the five metre line got Samoa back in the game after half-time, Anthony Perenise sliding over to bring the deficit to 13 – 10 before Mike Stanley’s penalties edged the Islanders in to a 13 – 16 lead.
With six minutes to go in Toronto, however, Canada were daring to dream.
Winger Phil McKenzie contested a high-bouncing kick for territory. He didn’t win it, but he was around to collect when Conor Trainor kept the pill alive. The hard work was still to be done, but McKenzie made taking the long route to the try-line from a standing start through Samoan tacklers look easy.
Fortunately for Samoa, there was still time to put the ball in the Canadian 22 and attempt to force a mistake.
When it came, it made for pinball-tastic drama.
Canada lock Tyler Hotson managed to steal a five metre line-out with just a minute on the clock. Yet in the panic to recover the ball, McKenzie spilled it and it found its way in to the grateful grasp of Zak Taulafo who grounded to give Samoa a 21 – 20 win.
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Canada england 2015 oh canada Pacific Nations Cup Rugby World Cup rwc 15 Samoa Tonga USA